Railway signaling apparatus



Feb. 25, 1930.

LE. SPRAY 1,748,803

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed May 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.2

I K 1 R's i T 7 1 6 H flW WIA INVENTOR: E. 5 0)! 2,

Feb. 25, 1930. L. E. SPRAY 1,743,803

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed May 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 1... El. Sprav,

w g y Patented Feb. 25, 1930 ITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE LESTER E; SPRAY, WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOK TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA Application filed May 24,

My invention relates to railway signaling 7 apparatus,and particularly to apparatus of 1 the type involving signals having electric then be lighted is burned out.

I will describe several forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof inclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagramma ticviewshowing one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2, 3,4, '5, and 6 are diagrammatic views showing modifications of the apparatus shown in Fi 1 and each embodying my invention.

imilar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring firstto Fig.1, the reference character S designates a railway signal, which, as here shown, comprises a main group of lamps A "and an auxiliary 1 group of lamps C. Group A includes a proceed lamp G, a cantion. lamp Y, and stop :llamp 'R. Group C includesa proceed lamp G and usually other lamps which form no part of the present invention.

'Thelamps in signal are controlled by a main relay H and a distant relay D. The main relay H may be controlled in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by a lever ofvan interlocking machine, or it may be a track relay connected with the track rails 1 and l and so controlled automaticallyin accordance with trafiic conditions. Relay D is responsive to reversals of the relative polarity of the current supplied thereto, and may be controlled in any suitable manner by tralfic conditions in advance of signal S. S ignal S is also controlled in part by a distant repeater relay D the circuit for whi'ch is from terminal B of asuitable source of ourrent, through contact 8 of relay D in either the normal or the reverse position, and the winding of relay' D to terminal O of the same source of current. It will be seen, there;

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS 1927. Serial N0.'193,794.

a light-out relay E, the operation and function of which will appear hereinafter.

I Will first assume that relay H is energized and that relay D is energized in the normal direction, that is, in such direction that its contact fingers are swung to the left. Proceed lamp G of group A is then lighted, the circuit being from terminal B, through the winding of relay E, front contact 66 of relay H, contact 33 of relay D and lamp G to terminal 0. When relay H is energized, and relay D is energized in, the reverse direction the caution lamp Y is'lighted, the circuit being from terminal B through the Winding of relay E, contact 6-6 of relay H, contact 33 of relay D and lamp Y to termipasses from terminal B, through winding of relay E,back contact 66 of relay H and lamp R to terminal 0. Lamp G of group C is provided with a circuit which passes from terminal B, through a contact 16, contact 14: p

of relay E, andolamp G to terminal 0. Contact '16 may be controlled by any suitable means, such,-for example, as a lever of an interlocking. machine. I will now assumethatwhile relay'H is energized, and relayD is energized in the normal direction so that lamp of group A should be lighted, this lamp burns out. Relay E will then be de-energized, and the stop lamp R will be lighted, the circuit being from terminal B, through back contact 12 of relay E, contact 11 of'relay D in the normal position, front contact 17 of relay H and lamp R to terminal 0. If lamp Y should be burnedout when relay H is energized and. relay is energized in the reverse direction, stop lamp R will be lighted by virtue of the same circuit as before, except that this circuit will include contact 11 in the reverse position instead of in the normal position. If lamp Y should be burned out when relay H is energized and relays D and D are de-encrgized, lamp R will be lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through back contact 12 of relay E, back contact 10 of relay D contact 17 of relay H and lamp R to terminal O. I will now assume that relays H,

D and D are all ale-energized, so that stop lamp R should be lighted, that'contact 16 is closed so that lamp G should be lighted, and that the stop lamp R is burned out. Relay E will then be dc-energized, so that the circuit for'lamp G is open at contact 14, with the result that lamp G cannot be lighted.

If the direction of energization of relay D is reversed while relay Hremains energized, it will be noted that relay E will momentarily be opened because both lamps G and Y will be momentarily extinguished. Lamp R will not be momentarily lighted, however, because the circuit for this lamp remains open at the back contact 10 of relay D which, as stated hereinbefore, has slow-releasing characteristics.

Referring now to Fig. 2, signal S in the form here shown comprises proceed, caution and stop lamps G, Y and R, which lamps are supplied with current by the secondaries of transformers T T and T respectively. Signal S, is controlled by a relay H, which,

in the form here shown, is a three-position track relay having a winding constantly connected with the track rails 1 and 1. A repeating relay Q, is controlled by relay H in such manner that relay Q is energized when relay H is energized in either direction, and is (ls-energized when relay H is de-energized.

Assuming first that relay H is energized in the normal direction so that its contact fingers are swung to the left, the primary of transformer T is supplied with current by acircuit which passes from terminal B of a source of alternating current, through front contact 2121 of relay Q,, winding of relay E, normal contact 18-18 of relay H, and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0 of the same source of alternating current. Lamp G is therefore supplied with current and is lighted. WVhen relay H is energized in the reverse direction, the caution lamp Y is lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through contact 2121 of relay Q, winding of relay E, contact 18-18 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. lVhen relays H and Q, are

de-energized, the stop lamp R is lighted, the circuit being from terminal B through back contact 2121 of relay Q, and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. I will now assume that while relay H is energized in the normal direction the proceed lamp G is burned out. The caution lamp Y will then be lighted, the circuit being from terminal B, through front contact 2121 of relay Q, back contact 12 of relay E, normal contact 1919 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. I will next assume that while relay H is energized in the reverse direction the caution lamp Y is burned out. Stop lampR will then be lighted, the circuit being from terminal B, through contact 2121 of relay Q, back contact 12 of relay E, reverse contact 19'19 of relay H, frontcontact 22 of relay Q and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. 7

Referring now to Fi .3, the apparatus shown in. this view is similar to that shown in Fig.2, except as to the detailed arrangement of the circuits. 'Assuming first thatrelay H is energized in the normal direction,

the proceed lamp G is lighted, the circuit be- 7 ing from terminal B through winding of relay E, normal contact 18-18 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. Relay Q is then energized by virtue of a circuit which includes the normal contact 2O'2O of relay H. When relay H is energized in the reverse direction, the caution lamp Y is lighted, the circuit being from terminal B, through winding of relay E, reverse contact 1818 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. 'Relay Q is then energized by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through reverse contact 20-20 of relay H, contact 22 of relay E and the winding of relay Q to terminal 0. When relay H is de-energizcd,relayQ is also de-energized, and the stop lamp R isthen lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through back. contact 21 of relay Q, and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0.

I will now assume that while relay H is energized in the normal direction the proceed lamp G is burned out. RelayE will then be de-energized, and caution lamp Y will be lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through back contact 12 of relay E, normal contact 19-19 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. Relay Q will at such time be energized, so that the stop lamp R is not lighted. I will now assume that while relay H is energized in the reverse direction the caution lamp. Y is burned out. Relay E will then be de-energized, with the result that relay Q will also be de-energized, and

stop lamp R- will then be lighted byvirtue of the same circuit as that traced hereinbefore for this lamp.

As here shown, relay Q is also provided with contacts 37 and 38 which constitute a pole-changer included in the track circuit for the section in the rear of signal S, whereby the relay H for such section in the rear masses an? be nergized n the; normal d r ction w en: and only; w en;relay Qiisenergi d, The esult qfthisiis that when v r stoplamp;

' R; of i n l S. is; gh d for a y ausal Whether in normal operation or because of fai ure of amp thep o e l am-p,, rf .e

signal in the rear cannot be lighted.

flefe r l gnow to F g-At il signal S m- -p se a. pr eed; lamp; 1G, va main caution lamp Y, an auxiliary caution lamp Y and a stop lamp R. The signal is controlled by a three-position track relay H and a repeater i Y 7 relay Q, but the light-out relay E is omitted.

' Relay Q is controlled by contact 19 of relay when relay H 1s energized 1n either the normal or the reverse direction, but is de-ener-.

H in such manner that relay Q is energized gized when relay H isde-energized. First assuming that i relay H is energized injthe normal direction, the proceed lamp G is lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B, through front contact 21- 21 of relay Q, normal contact 1818 of relay H and the primary of, transformer T to terminal 0. When relay His energizedin the reverse direction, the primary of to, the right-hand terminal-of the secondary .32.- The value of impedance 23 is substantransformer T is supplied with current by a circuit which passes from terminal B,

through front contact 2121 of relay .Q,, re-.

verse contact 1818 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal 0. The main caution lamp Y is then lighted by a circuit which passes from the left-hand terminal of the secondary 32 of transformer T through an impedance 23 and lamp Y tially the same'as the impedance of lamp Y.

One terminal of lamp Y is connected with the middle point of secondary 32, and the other terminal of-lamp Y is connected in the circuit for lamp Y between the impedance i 23 and the lamp Y. The two terminals of lamp Y are therefore at the same potential 1 and so this lamp is extinguished. If, however, lamp Y should burn out while. trans-r r is energized, primary 24 of a transformer U is supplied with alternating current through front contact 2121 of relay Q. When relay H is energized in the normal direction, the proceed lamp G is energized by a circuit which passes from the right-hand terminal of secondary 25 of transformer U, through i an impedance 27, primary ofv transformer T, normal contact 1919 of relay H to the left-hand terminal of secondary: 26,a nd' om. he right-hand t min l of se on ary 26, through normal contact 18 of relayH to he left-hand t rminal of se ond ry 2 1 One, terminal of the primary of transformer T is. connected in this; circuit at a point hetweenimpedance 27f and transformer T Whereas the other terminal of theprimary; of

of secondary26 and with the left-hand terminal of secondary 25. The vvalue of im-- pedance 27 is the same as, thei'mpedancegof the primary of transformer T -whenlamp G- is lighted. When lamp G is lighted, then, 1 I

the two, points; with which the primaryof T isconnected with-the right-hand terminal I transformer-"T is connected. are at the same H potential, sot-hat lamp Y isextinguished.

Iflamp G 'burns: out, however, while relay V H is in the: normal position, lamp Y is then supplied with current and so the signal indicates cauti'on. When relayH-isienergizedj V in the reverse-direction, thecircuit for transformer T is opened at contact l9-19 and the circuit for transformer T is closed at contact 19mm". Theistoplamp R is. controlled in the usualjmanner throughba'ck contact 21 21 of relay Q.

"Referring now to Fig.6, the two lamps G J and Y'are supplied" with current by two secondaries29 and 30 of a transformer T, the

primary 28 ofwhich is supplied with alter-i.

ating current'whe-n relay Q is. energized.

When relay is energized in the normal direction, the circuit for-lamp G is from the left-hand terminal of secondary 20 through impedance l -P G, normal contact.

18 18 and secondary 29 to-the right-hand" terminal of'secondary 30. On'e' terminal of lampis connected in this circuitat a point. betweenfimpedance 31"and lamp G, whereas the other terminalof lamp-Y is connected in thiscifrcuit at a point between secondaries 29 and 30; The" value ofimpedance 31 is substan'tiallythe same as that 'o-f the lamp Gr, so

that when lamp G is lighted'the two terminals of l amp-Y' ar e at the same-potential and v this lamp is exti nguished." If lafmp' G burnsf out, however, the two -termina;ls of lamp Y 1 are at different potentials, and so this lamp becomes lighted. When relay-H is energized connected from lamp G and lamp Y is then suppliedfwithcurrent from secondary '30,

through impedance '31. When relay. H= is de-energized, relay is also de-energized' and lamp R is thenfsupplied withcurrent through back c ontact2"121 of relay Q,

' Although I have herein shown. and deQ scribed only a few: forms of apparatus em bodying invention,'it is-und-erstood that varlous changes-and modlfic'ations may be made therein within the scopeojfthe appended: claims without. departing I fromthe; spirit; ands n o rmyin ent nn. a .4:

fiavingtlt sda qtihcctmtinveatian what in the reverse direction, secondary- 29 is disis in condition for lighting said caution lamp if the caution lamp is burned out.

2. Ina railway signaling system, a signal relay capable ofenergization in normal and reverse directions, a light signal comprising I a proceed lamp and a caution lamp, a proceed lamp circuit controlled by a normal coni whensaid controlling means is in condition for lighting said first lamp butsaid first lamp 7 is burned out, and means for controlling the operatlon of slgnalmg apparatus-lathe rear ofsaid signal to one positlon or another according as said main lamp is burned out or not. 7 V

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LESTER E. SPRAY.

' tact of said signal relay, a normal circuit for'said caution lamp controlled by a reverse contact of said signal relay, and means controlled by said proceed lamp circuit for causing said caution lamp to be lighted when said signal relay is energized for lighting said proceed lamp but said proceed lamp is burned out. 1

'3. In a railway signaling system, a home relay capable of energization in normal and reverse directions, a home repeater relay, a

signal having proceed, caution and stop lamps, a light-out relay, a proceed lamp circuit including said light-out relay and a normal contact of said home relay, a normal circuit for said caution lamp including said light-out relay and areverse contact of said home relay, an auxiliary circuit for said caution lamp including a had: contact of said lighteout relay and a normal contact of said home relay, a circuit for said stop lamp including a back contact of said home repeater relay, a first circuit for said home re eaterv relay including a normal. contact 0 said home relay, a second circuit for sa d home repeater relay lncludmg areverse contact of said home relay and a front-contact of said,

light-out relay, and pole-changing contacts of said home repeater relay for controlling the polarity of control current for signaling apparatus in the rear ofs'aid signal.

4. In a railway signalingsystem, a home relay capable of energization in normal and 1 reverse directions, a signal having proceed,

caution and stop lamps,fa ligh-out relay, a proceed lamp circuit including said lightoutrelay and a normal contact of said home relay, a main caution lamp circuit including i said light-out relay and a reverse contact of.

said home relay, an auxiliary caution lamp circuit including a back contact of said light-out relay and a normal contact of said lLOIIlQ relay, and means for lighting said stop lamp when either said home relay or said light-out relay is (i e-energized.

5. In combination, a railway signal having a main lamp and a second lamp, controlling means for selectively lighting said lamps, means for lighting said second lamp 

